Endowment Fund

Just as you may have provided for your family and supported the church during your lifetime, you may continue to do the same after your life has ended.

Harmony United Methodist Church has established an Endowment Fund of permanent duration to provide a means whereby gifts to the church may be received and used to carry out the Christian ministry and mission of the Harmony United Methodist Church, as set forth in the Book of Discipline.

How does the Endowment Fund work?

Contributions received into the Fund are permanently held as principal and are managed, invested, and reinvested by an Endowment Fund Committee. The assets must be invested in accordance with the Social Principles of the United Methodist Church. Currently, the funds are invested through the Virginia United Methodist Foundation. Only the income earned on the principal is to be used by the church.

How is earned income of the Fund spent and allocated?

The Endowment Fund Committee is responsible for use of income earned from the Fund. At the beginning of each new year, the Endowment Fund Committee meets to consider requests and make recommendations to the church for the allocation of earned income the Fund has generated. Suggestions and recommendations should be directed to the Committee.

How can I make a contribution?

Anyone can make contributions to the Fund, and gifts of any size are appreciated. No gift is too large or too small. Gifts can be given at any time. If a cash gift is made to the Fund by check or money order, simply make it payable to the Harmony United Methodist Church Endowment Fund. The Endowment Fund Committee can advise you under any other circumstances.

May gifts to the Fund be made by will?

Yes. In fact, much of the Fund will probably come from bequests under wills. Simply indicate to your attorney that you wish to make a bequest to the Harmony United Methodist Church Endowment Fund and your lawyer will provide the proper language in your will.

May non-cash assets be contributed?

Yes. Stocks, bonds, other securities, tangibles, and real estate will be welcome additions to the Fund. The Internal Revenue Service considers the value of a gift to be its fair market value as determined at the time the gift is made.